^^^I came back to edit my first post to mention this^^^

I never really noticed vibrations under 50 mph, but when you get into hwy speeds (especially above 60) you'll notice it. IMO, the Heritage is smooth at idle and cruising speeds, but has some vibrations that you might not like. It never really bothered me when I had the bike, but now that I'm on a tourer I don't think I'd like it at all.

 

Thanks for the replies. I had a Road King for a while and really liked it, maybe that is the way to go. I think I'll set up a rental of a heritage as suggested and see where that leads me. I had thought about putting the removable pack hardware on the limited but had read some posts about folks having problems with them.

 

I too would look at Street Glide. I have a Road King and all the time wish I would have got the Street Glide. And with that said, We have a 10 Heritage Classic here at work that I've road some, And I wouldnt give up my RK for it for sure!!!!


Shane

 

Had an ultra. Before that i had an 08 standard. Wanted something different and thought about evan a dyna. Was seriously looking at a heritage too. When it came down to it i wasnt ready to leave the touring platform. For me i wanted something different but still needed to be 2 up every so often and take the 1 or 2 overnight trips a year. I went with a rk. So far, so good.

 

I went from a heritage softail to a limited and in the same boat. Wife wont go on long trips now. The heritage is very good for touring. Have went on many trips 600-2000 miles long and no problems. Do whats best for you.

 

I've had an '03 Heritage since new. I've taken several trips in excess of 1200 miles. For the longer trips I put on the windshield and around town I go without the windshield. I really love that bike......

This year I bought a '12 Ultra Limited and drove it cross country. It feels like a totally different bike.

I can't bring myself to sell my Heritage, but then I won't be taking it on longer than one day trips anymore, I'll be taking the Ultra.

My suggestion is to:

1) Sell the wide-glide, put a detachable tour-pack rack on the Ultra and then pay down on the loan with the rest. This would be my first choice.

2) If you really need to buy another bike, go with the Road King. It has the touring frame/motor, yet can be "stripped down" like a Heritage.

Good luck with whatever you decide.....

 

I feel differently than most here about this. My experience was not recent but I had an Ultra and even though it was a great road bike I just did not feel satisfied with it. I traded it for a Softail Custom (evo solid mount and before the balanced B engine). My wife did not like it as much as the Ultra but I loved it. We seldom rode two up anyway.

I rode that softail on very long rides from coast to coast and from Mexico to Canada and it was great. I never missed the cruise control because I used the throttle tensioner screw on the highway and that is all you need.

I think a Heritage Softail would be a great touring bike as well as around town. I do most of my riding on long distance tours and I see an awful lot of happy single riders and couples on the Heritage.

 

Everyone here will agree it's your call, so do what you really want to do. Personally, I've been through the Sportsters, Dynas, Softails, and Touring just provides such a superior ride (at least for me). Sell the wide glide, apply that $$ to the limited, and go with the detachable tourpak, remove the saddlebag guards, and drop the windshield down with something like KlockWerks 6 1/2". You'll be glad you did. You can also throw a solo seat on there, and you're set for around town. You'll never get what you want out of the Limited. You've already eaten the big depreciation. Keep it and enjoy the ride. JMHO.

 

rode my wifes 04 Heritage for about 5 wks while my Ultra was in the shop and even did a few 2up short rides and though the Heritage is a nice bike no way would I trade it for my Ultra , and I ride solo bout 70% of the timem , I would do as some have sugested and do a detatchable tour pack and maybe a solo seat on the limited , but allso read some of the threads about them and the people that have spent the money for them and miss the tour pack so much they never take them off anyway

 

Traded a 201o Ultra for a Heritage in June of this year. For me alone, it was OK after changing the bar risers. For the wife, it was a BIG problem. Changed the pillion and backrest to the wider "touring" style, replaced pegs with boards. she still wasn't happy and stated she just wouldn't ride any longer. Since we've been riding together for 30 years, the Heritage became an Ultra Limited last Friday. This was a money losing proposition on both ends, so make sure that whatever you do, think long term. As everyone stated, you can make an Ultra look like a SG much easier than adding to another ride to make it an Ultra. Enjoy and be safe no matter what you do!